OK, here is my first shot in the dark.
"The Real Book", is the de-facto Bible for working jazz musicians.
Created in the early 70's by a mysterious group of Berklee music students, it was supposed to be their answer to the problem of assorted, poor-quality 'fake books' in circulation at the time.
Fake books were alphabetized, phonebook-sized compilations of lead sheets to the popular songs of the day, simplified so that a musician could sight-read them and be able to 'fake it' when the band leader called a tune which the musician was unfamiliar with.
As the repetoire for working musicians broadened to the point that one could not be expected to know all of the possible songs which might be requested at a jazz club, cocktail party or bar-mitzvah from memory, such books became indispensable, but they all suffered from varying flaws ranging from unreadable notation to lame song choice.
In response to this, the Real Book authors compiled a book full of transcriptions which appealed to their,(frankly), jazz-snob inclinations, many of which were,(and still are), totally useless in the context for which fake books are commonly used.
Nonetheless, their book caught on.
Complicating matters was the fact that most fake books at the time did not secure copyrights to the songs they contained, and were published and distributed on a semi-underground level.
The Real Book was no exception, which is why no one has claimed responsibility for creating it.
Distribution of the book was done secretly through a network of musicians and local music store owners.
by the late 70's, it had become the universal fake book, and it remains so today.
All other attempts by newer books to knock it from its pedestal have failed.
This means that when you go to a jazz jam or wine and cheese party, the music being played is all at least 30 to 40 years old and has been utterly done to death.
In reaction to this situation, I offer my first of,(hopefully), many addendums to that infernal book's pathetically dated repetoire.
A classic melody from a classic film, inspired by my then three year old daughter's surprisingly strong interest in Darth Vader.
I've played it as a bossa and it works, although the chords are a little weird to solo over.
If you have any versions of Finale or Printmusic, download this
http://rapidshare.com/files/351694655/Copy_of_imperial_march.MUS
You will be able to transpose it or do whatever you want.
Otherwise, here is a jpeg. Print off a few and bring 'em down to the gig and have a laff. And check back here for more.
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